Our reception staff will be happy to advise you about them along with appointment availability (normally 30 minutes are required). Please allow up to 30 days for the completion of some medical reports.

Why do GPs Sometimes Charge Fees?

The National Health Service (NHS) provides most health care to most people free of charge, however, there are exceptions: Prescription charges have existed since 1951, and there are a number of other services for which fees are charged. Sometimes the charge is made to cover some of the cost of treatment, for example dental fees, in other cases, it is because the service is not covered by the NHS, for example Medical Reports for insurance companies.

What is covered by the NHS and what is not?

The Government’s contract with GPs covers medical services to NHS patients. In recent years, more and more organisations have been involving doctors in a whole range of non-medical work. Sometimes the only reason that GPs are asked is because they are in a position of trust in the community, or because an insurance company or employer wants to be sure that the information provided is true and accurate.

Examples of non-NHS services for which GPs can charge their NHS patients are:

Accident/sickness insurance certificates

Certain travel vaccinations

Private medical insurance reports

Why does it sometimes take a GP a long time to complete my form?

Time spent completing forms and preparing reports takes the GP away from the medical care of his or her patients. Most GPs have a very heavy workload – the majority work up to 70 hours a week – and paperwork takes up an increasing amount of their time, so many GPs find they have to take some paperwork home at night and weekends. Please give the practice 3 WEEKS notice for any work you would like the GP to complete.

I only need the doctor’s signature – what is the problem?

When a doctor signs a certificate or completes a report, it is a condition of remaining on the Medical Register that they only sign what they know to be true. In order to complete even the simplest of forms, therefore, the doctor might have to check the patient’s entire medical record. Carelessness or an inaccurate report can have serious consequences for the doctor with the General Medical Council or even the police.